Brian and Megan had been dating for almost three years when one morning Brian woke up extra early (an oddity for a someone working the second shift) and said he was going to the gym and then to visit his father in Two Rivers. He had actually made a trip out to this mother’s house to pick up an engagement ring.

Brian picked up Megan and their dog and told her he wanted to go down by a nearby lake. “We walked out on this pier with the dog and then suddenly he was down on one knee. I thought he was kidding.” Megan was convinced it was as joke. Brian was convinced she thought it was a joke too. In fact, he was a little afraid she might throw the ring in the lake. “But then he started telling me how much loved me and then he pulled out that ring…” And then Megan knew it was real. Brian hadn’t even planned on proposing that day. But when he picked it up that morning and looked at it he thought, “I’m going to propose today.”

“Our wedding theme was ‘autumn’ because it’s our favorite season. We chose cranberry and gold as our colors. My dress was a pale champagne color,” explains Megan. For weeks, Megan had a friend who had continuously given her bridal magazines. “I kept seeing this one dress.” When it came time to go dress shopping, the dress found Megan. “I said “This is the one from the magazine!’” The dress turned out to be not only on sale, but the only one that day in her exact size. In tow that day were Megan’s mom, sisters and best friend of fourteen years and seeing Megan try on that dress brought on a chorused cry of “THIS is the one!”

While most of the details continued to fall into place, Megan was unsure of how to handle her floral arrangements. “I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted floral wise. We wanted a lot of flowers, but I didn’t know what to do. This was stressful for me. I gave my colors to the florist and let her come up with some ideas.” From spray painted branches in Megan’s parents yard to beads and then no beads, the centerpieces were eventually created. “At first, I wasn’t happy with the centerpieces, but she really worked with Me.,” adds Megan. Painted red branches stood up inside gold mesh netting with an addition of burning bush (also found in Megan’s parent’s yard) were used alternately with arrangements of short vases and floating candles. The result was a stunning, yet earthy effect borne of thoughtful consideration and old-fashioned ingenuity.

One more setback awaited the couple. “We were originally going to have a band, but then they broke up. Luckily our best man used to be a DJ and so we used his equipment. And then Brian created a play list to for three hours. We did everything ourselves.”

There were no disappointments when it came to the cake. Very appropriately, it came from The American Club. Simply put by Megan, “We work there and we LOVE their cake!” Megan and Brian chose the signature wedding cake from the pastry kitchen at the American Club. Described as a “a delicious combination of cheesecake paired with sponge cake” as well as mouselline and your choice of fresh fruit filling; Megan and Brian’s cake came filled with fresh raspberries. Layered with fondant on the outside, the cake was adorned in cranberry colored satin ribbon.

And so, Megan and Brian were happily married in early October of this past year. The bride walked down the aisle to Canon in D and carried ivory roses and burnt orange calla lilies. The men wore all black with touches of cranberry, save for the groom’s ivory vest and tie.
In lieu of an immediate honeymoon, the couple plans on taking an island cruise around the time of their one-year anniversary. “We did, however, take a little time off after the wedding to just relax.”
Reflecting back on it now, Megan adds, “You know, two of my friends just recently go engaged and I cannot stress this enough – everything will fall into place. Don’t stress out. Things will work out. And if they don’t, you’re the only one who’s going to know.”

Local couple Nick and Stephanie, inspired by the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, found the perfect locale for their Italian destination wedding at a Farmhouse turned Bed and Breakfast in Tuscany, Italy. Tuscany’s cypress trees and rolling hills is complemented by the Bed and Breakfasts working vineyard and olive tree orchard, providing the perfect backdrops for the wedding photo ops of a lifetime.

This most memorable event you have spent so much time planning must be preserved in pictures. A great photographer is a must to capture the essence of your once in a life time experience. The couple chose Milwaukee Photographer Dennis Felber.

Taking the time to secure a good Italian wedding planner made all the difference the pair spent the next eight months communicating via Skype and email working out the details. Having to trust a complete stranger with the details of their most special day was not without worry, but it all turned out fabulously. Their wedding planner removed all the stress and uncertainty and even helped plan the events prior to the ceremony.

Red and white silk flowers, from the Front Porch of Waukesha, ensured the desired look of the floral arrangements and trimmed with olive branches to combine the Tuscan countryside with the scene. The use of silk flowers ensured Stephanie was able to return home with her flowers intact.

Next to the scenery the best part of having your wedding in a romantic locale is the menu options. Nick and Stephanie capitalized on the opportunity with the hors d’oeuvre mixed bruschetta with local sauce made with liver, fresh Chianti and capers, mushrooms, tomatoes a variety of local cold cuts and a selection of local Cheese served with honey and jam panzanella pappa al pomodoro. Dinner consisted of Pasta made with vegetables sauce lasagna made with ragu arista (pork roast beef) and side dishes of fagiolini al fiasco. Desert complemented it all with homemade Mimosa Cake.

“Don’t worry about the small details, just enjoy the day and make it one that you will remember lovingly for the rest of your life.” advises bride Stephanie Cossette.

The couple from St. Paul, MN decided on a ‘destination’ wedding in Madison,WI.
The ceremony was on the rooftop of the Contemporary Art Museum on State Street in the sculpture gardens. Mike wrote their whole ceremony. Lauri’s sister played the yukalaylee while her brother in law sang during the ceremony. They chose to see each other before the ceremony, so we did a first look photo session near the ceremony site.
There were three bridesmaids and three groomsmen. Bridesmaid’s chose their own gray dress accented with yellow scarves and purses. The groom wore a gray suit and brown shoes. After the first look we walked to the Capital and other various locations around State Street.
The reception was held in the same location. Each guest found their table labeled with a word that was significant to the couple. The word was written on a little chalk board and placed on the tables. Giant cup cakes replaced the traditional wedding cake. A gnocchi station, a grilled cheese station, and a bunch of appetizers that waiters served along with chicken skewers, hummus and veggies kicked dinner up a notch.

The night was capped with a distant viewing of the 4th of July fireworks.